Richmond, Virginia, located on the banks of the James River, developed into a major port by the mid-19th century. The city became the shipping point for flour, livestock, vegetables, tobacco, coal, and ironworks. During this period, the James River and Kanawha Company developed a canal system that was highlighted with the construction of five large stone locks, completing the canal connection to the city dock area. Coinciding with development of the city's canal system, industry followed, and by the very early 1800s, large flour mills dotted the city, replacing older, smaller-scale grist mills. This new wealth helped other industries prosper, including cotton and woolen mills, as well as tobacco factories and iron foundries.